Monday, April 4, 2011

Ok, in my current "recuperating" condition, running with the actual "Bulls" in Pamplona wouldn't be such a good idea (on account of all the trampling and such). The good news is, I get to drag my out-of-shape butt down to a much more enjoyable place to run slowly this weekend at the Bull Run 50 miler! The blue bells are out in full-force on the course, and this annual marker of the arrival of spring has me quickly forgetting how disappointed I am at not being able to run the race at 100%.

Running through the sea of Blue Bells in 2009

Even though I won't be able to run at full speed (75% still feels like 100% as I slowly get my energy back), I'm looking forward to building some character and "gutting out a 50" as some solid mental training for the rest of my much-longer races this year. A little suffering goes a long way in this sport...and I mean that in a positive sense!

As far as the guys and gals who will be leading the way along this historic Civil War battlefield course, there will be some excellent talent for me to watch on the out-n-back sections: Matt Woods (100k National Team), Annette Bednosky (100k & 24 Hour National Team), Neal Gorman (Grand Slam record-holder), Adam Hill (always kills this race), Jack Pilla (VT 100 Champ), Aaron Schwartzbard (faaaaaaaaaasssssst!), and a bunch of other folks who can bust 7:30 on this course.

Sure, I'd much prefer to be up there mixing it up with this crowd, but my last couple weeks of running have firmly proven that my body is still recovering from what will be known for all-time as 'March Illness Madness'. I'm happy to be able to simply strap on the shoes Saturday morning and enjoy the fact that I can put all of that nonsense 50 miles further in the rearview mirror. I think I'll even run with my camera to add some fun to my Race Report next week as well. Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying the return of Spring as much as I am!

One-on-One Cancer Support!

About Me

While undergoing chemo treatments in Boston in 2004, I knew if I was lucky enough to get healthy again, I needed to do my part to help inspire my friends who are/were/will be stuck in the hospital just like me.
I wanted to come back from treatments stronger than ever to prove cancer can actually be a blessing in many ways.
Thanks to an amazing network of friends and supporters, I have raised over $20,000 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston through my post-cancer running adventures. Even more important than the money will hopefully be the inspiration a few of my fellow patients will feel when they read about my adventures. As my new running plans and goals develop over the years, the #1 reason for every step I run remains the same: To inspire cancer patients everywhere to make two fists when they wake up every morning and keep fighting!